For Andrew Korzenik, bringing his latest film project to the North Shore feels like a full-circle moment.
The Marblehead native, now an award-winning filmmaker based in Chicago, spent his childhood performing in local theater productions, attending Rebel Shakespeare camp and developing a love of storytelling in Marblehead Public Schools.
This month, he’s returning home — not simply to screen a film but to start what he hopes will become an important community conversation.
On Aug. 12, Korzenik will present “Sprinkles: Decoded” at Cinema Salem, a 90-minute program that pairs his acclaimed 25-minute noir-inspired short film, “Sprinkles,” with an interactive discussion about misinformation, media literacy and critical thinking.
In a time when Americans are increasingly forced to distinguish fact from fiction online, the program explores the decline of mainstream news, the rise of alternative media, the growing influence of artificial intelligence and social media, and the ways people can better navigate today’s rapidly changing information landscape.
“It’s wonderful to bring this work back to where I grew up,” Korzenik said. “I grew up with family movie nights — from Chet’s Video, no less. I remember going to Cinema Salem as a kid. It’s a real privilege.”
Unlike traditional media literacy workshops built around lectures or PowerPoint presentations, “Sprinkles: Decoded” uses storytelling to engage audiences first, then invites them into a conversation.
A conspiracy spirals out of control
The black-and-white short film follows Claude, a lonely man who becomes consumed by an online conspiracy theory. Loosely inspired by the real-world Pizzagate conspiracy, the film explores how misinformation can escalate from harmless curiosity into dangerous obsession.
You can watch the trailer HERE.
Korzenik said the film intentionally embraces the style of classic film noir.
“When I first read the script, I realized so many of the classic noir themes were already there,” he said. “It’s about corruption, loneliness, alienation and features a disaffected protagonist.”
Directors Billy Wilder and Stanley Kubrick proved particularly influential, inspiring both the film’s dark humor and its meticulous depiction of a man preparing for an act driven by paranoia.
Although “Sprinkles” has already earned recognition on the film festival circuit — including screenings at the famed TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles — Korzenik says the project has evolved into something much larger than a festival short.
Beyond the film
After the credits roll, the conversation begins.
Rather than dissecting the movie itself, Korzenik uses the story as a jumping-off point to examine why misinformation spreads, how conspiracy theories gain traction, and the universal human tendencies that make false narratives persuasive. Through storytelling and guided discussion, participants are encouraged to think critically about how they consume news, identify reliable sources and engage in productive conversations across differing viewpoints.
“The goal isn’t to tell people what to think,” Korzenik said. “It’s to provide tools that help people ask better questions, recognize manipulation and become more thoughtful consumers of information.”
The discussion explores the decline of traditional news organizations, the rise of podcasts and online personalities, the influence of social media algorithms and AI-generated content, and practical strategies audiences can use to verify information before accepting it as fact.
One section explores how people become trapped in online echo chambers. Another offers practical media literacy techniques, including cross-referencing sources and recognizing when commentary is masquerading as objective reporting.
Not about politics
Given today’s polarized climate, Korzenik knows discussions surrounding misinformation can quickly become partisan.
He’s determined not to let that happen.
“The presentation itself is about media literacy,” he said. “We’re all vulnerable because we’re all human.”
Instead of assigning blame, he hopes audiences leave recognizing that no one is immune to being manipulated.
“My biggest hope is that people leave a little uncomfortable,” he said. “I want everyone to have the feeling that you aren’t above being taken in by something. You’re as vulnerable as anyone else — not because you’re dumb, but because you’re human.”
A hometown perspective
Growing up in Marblehead also shaped the way Korzenik thinks about community.
Living in a close-knit town, he said, taught him the value of shared civic life — where people don’t have the luxury of permanently retreating into ideological bubbles.
“In this day and age, I see so much segmentation because of the internet,” he said. “One advantage of close-knit communities is that you don’t really have the option of completely cutting yourself off. You have to find common ground.”
His passion for journalism and media also began early.
“My mom was an avid NPR listener,” he said. “There was always news on in my life.”
Looking ahead
“Sprinkles: Decoded” is still in its inaugural run, but Korzenik hopes the program eventually finds audiences well beyond community theaters and libraries.
“I would absolutely love to bring it into schools,” he said.
He sees two groups who could especially benefit from stronger media literacy: older adults navigating today’s rapidly changing information landscape, and younger people whose news consumption increasingly comes through TikTok, Twitch and other social platforms.
“You’re not getting the news,” he said of social media. “You’re getting a heavily filtered editorial.”
Ultimately, Korzenik isn’t asking audiences to trust him. He’s asking them to slow down, ask questions and think critically before sharing what they see online.
“I hope people become more cautious and conscientious consumers of media,” he said. “Whether it’s mainstream news, social media or a podcast, I hope they integrate the strategies we discuss into their media diet.”
As misinformation continues to shape conversations in communities across the country, Korzenik believes media literacy is one of the most important civic skills people can develop.
“The evening is about creating space for conversation rather than division,” he said. “If people leave asking better questions and thinking more carefully about the information they consume, then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.”
“Sprinkles: Decoded” will be presented Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Cinema Salem. Admission is free, though registration through the Salem Athenaeum is encouraged at salemathenaeum.net. The program is recommended for audiences ages 14 and older.
